If ANNIE opened today...

[FrontRow]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 12:46pm

...would the title role be split between 2 or 3 girls, a la 'Billy Elliot'? In explaining why they didn't request joint Tony eligibility for the boys who play Michael, the 'Billy Elliot' producers said the role is not so demanding that it would be impossible for one boy to play all performances. So why is the role shared? I don't think labor laws were changed or anything, but it doesn't seem any child is allowed to play a lead or featured role by him/herself anymore. Why?

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 12:47pm

Nope.

[jake6970]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 12:48pm

I don't think it was shared on the last tour.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 1:19pm

nope It's a pretty demanding role even though they thought about having Joanna and brittny share the role during the reviaval but plans fell through.

[winston89]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 2:08pm

The whole idea about kids sharing roles came from England where they have very strict child labor laws. That was something that ended up happening here when shows like Les Miserables transfered to Broadway from London and had two actors play Gavroche and two actors split the roles of young Cosette and Young Eponine.

If you look at a show like Big that had a huge cast full of child actors, none of them were double cast at all. Not even the kids who played Young Josh or Billy.

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 2:36pm

Ah, but it certainly does generate a lot of press, doesn't it?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/23/09 at 3:58pm

isn't it sometimes up to the producers? I think someone might've mentioned it here, to explain why Kelsey Fowler was the only actress playing Lee Bouvier in Grey Gardens, but shared the role of Louise in Sunday in the Park with George.